The Royal Netherlands scrambled today to escort two Russian Tupolev Tu-95 bombers over the north Sea. The jest were launched from the Reaction Alert (QRA) at Leeuwarden AB.
It is fairly common for Russian bombers to enter NATO airspace without making any radio contact and as usual it was unclear what they were up to.
Standard procedures call for an escort of all non-NATO aircraft like these Bears. Initally German jet fighters flew along with them untilthey passed through and area in the North Sea for which the Netherlands is resopnsible at which point they were handed ovder to the Dutch F-16s. Later on the British Air Force took over with two Typhoons.
The QRA was activated upon request of the Air Operations Station Nieuw Milligen (AOCS NM).